Autopsy confirms Bat Cave man was beaten to death

Published: Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, January 11, 2013 at 7:34 p.m.

An autopsy report paints a grisly scene at the home of a Bat Cave man who investigators say was bludgeoned to death.

Fifty-two-year-old Walter Cleveland Davis was found dead in his home on Minihaha Drive Oct. 11 by co-workers who went to check on him after he missed two days of work at Esmeralda Inn.

The autopsy report confirmed that Davis died from “blunt trauma of the head” a minute after midnight on Oct. 8. “Copious amounts of blood” were found throughout the house and Davis suffered “repeated wounds inflicted by a claw hammer,” according to the report

“A hammer was reportedly recovered from a body of water running adjacent to his residence,” according to the report. “Autopsy findings revealed blunt trauma of the head with numerous abrasions, contusions and lacerations predominantly on the head. Many of the injuries had a semicircular and circular pattern.”

The medical examiner found “numerous skull fractures, many of which were circular” in shape, and noticed blunt trauma to the chest and abdomen, fractured ribs, a brain hemorrhage and bruising. The autopsy report shows Davis suffered multiple contusions, abrasions and more than 20 lacerations.

The toxicology report showed no presence of alcohol.

Henderson County sheriff’s deputies have charged 29-year-old Daniel Clay Moore, a houseguest of the deceased, with first-degree murder.

“We don’t know what the true motive to murder may have been,” said Capt. Frank Stout.

<p>An autopsy report paints a grisly scene at the home of a Bat Cave man who investigators say was bludgeoned to death.</p><p>Fifty-two-year-old Walter Cleveland Davis was found dead in his home on Minihaha Drive Oct. 11 by co-workers who went to check on him after he missed two days of work at Esmeralda Inn.</p><p>The autopsy report confirmed that Davis died from “blunt trauma of the head” a minute after midnight on Oct. 8. “Copious amounts of blood” were found throughout the house and Davis suffered “repeated wounds inflicted by a claw hammer,” according to the report</p><p>“A hammer was reportedly recovered from a body of water running adjacent to his residence,” according to the report. “Autopsy findings revealed blunt trauma of the head with numerous abrasions, contusions and lacerations predominantly on the head. Many of the injuries had a semicircular and circular pattern.”</p><p>The medical examiner found “numerous skull fractures, many of which were circular” in shape, and noticed blunt trauma to the chest and abdomen, fractured ribs, a brain hemorrhage and bruising. The autopsy report shows Davis suffered multiple contusions, abrasions and more than 20 lacerations.</p><p>The toxicology report showed no presence of alcohol.</p><p>Henderson County sheriff's deputies have charged 29-year-old Daniel Clay Moore, a houseguest of the deceased, with first-degree murder.</p><p>“We don't know what the true motive to murder may have been,” said Capt. Frank Stout. </p><p>Moore was granted representation by public defender J. Tyler Ray. </p><p>Reach Weaver at emily.weaver@blueridgenow.com or 828-694-7867.</p>